A Brusly man was sentenced to 49 years in prison today in 18th Judicial District Court in Port Allen after pleading guilty to manslaughter, obstruction of justice and unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling. Tyler Davis shot and killed Ja’Morius Mitchell in 2024 in a sugarcane field in West Baton Rouge Parish and later set a fire to the field to destroy Mitchell’s body and any evidence at the scene.
Davis, 20, of 2070 Ory Dr., Brusly, was indicted by a Grand Jury. Davis executed Mitchell in a sugarcane field off Sid Richardson Road in West Baton Rouge Parish on December 12, 2024, when he shot Mitchell twice from behind with a semi-automatic rifle style pistol.
Mitchell’s body was located on December 18, 2024 by local farmers during their attempt to gain control of a fire discovered in a neighboring sugarcane field. The fire had been set by Davis in an effort to ensure Mitchell’s body could not be identified. Mitchell was found lying in a ditch under pieces of cut cane and had severe burns to over 40 percent of his body.
Officers from West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, Coroner’s Office, East Baton Rouge Sherrif’s Office and the U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms investigated the crime scene. Mitchell had been previously reported missing by family members to the Plaquemine Police Department after not returning home on December 12, 2024. His body was identified through a matching clothing description and dental records.
Tyler Davis fled during a search of his residence on December 19, 2024, when a backpack was located in a shed containing the murder weapon and several of his personal effects. While on the run from law enforcement, Davis entered an unoccupied residence on Teds Lane in Port Allen and hid his clothing in a dryer before fleeing the West Baton Rouge area. Davis was apprehended in Baton Rouge by the Middle District of Louisiana Fugitive Task Force on January 3, 2025.
A special thanks to the law enforcement agencies that assisted in bringing this case to justice including: West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, West Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office, Plaquemine City Police Department, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, St. Landry Parish Sherrif’s Office, Middle District Of Louisiana Fugitive Taskforce, Louisiana State Police Crime Lab and Parish Forensics LLC.
“We ended another case of gun violence today. A young man was violently killed and Tyler Davis will now spend most of his life in prison for that killing,” said District Attorney Tony Clayton. “This violence has to end. Criminals should be aware that, with the help of law enforcement, we will continue to solve and prosecute these cases aggressively, seeking harsh penalties, every time. We will not allow it in our communities.”
He was sentenced by District Judge Tonya Lurry.